Back To Life Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of questions ranging from how to know the difference
between moderate and severe back pain to what back pain exercises work
to alleviate pain right away. Below you will find some answers to our
most frequently asked questions. Please contact us
if you want more information or if your questions weren't answered here.

Q.
Do I need special equipment to do Back to Life Videos?

A. Back pain exercises shown
in Back to
Life Video for low back rehabilitation and prevention are not difficult
and can be done in the comfort of your home without any special
equipment.

Q.
If I have a lot of pain should I still try to use this video?

A. It is important that you
don’t let pain stop you from trying GENTLE/LIGHT activity at first.
Back to Life demonstrates modifications. If you feel like you are
hurting more than helping, you probably are. However, it is normal to
have some soreness and sometimes even discomfort as you get moving but
this will subside usually after 24-48 hours. If you are inactive it can
lead to loss of mobility, loss of flexibility, loss of
strength/endurance and these all lead to more severe back pain.

Q.
Do I have to stretch before all strengthening routines?

A. It is highly recommended
that before you start your back pain exercises or training activities
that you start with gentle stretches and then
progress yourself into gentle strengthening exercises. I would
recommend gentle stretches even before an evening stroll in the park,
rollerblade or playing with your children. This will increase blood
circulation, increase elasticity of your muscles and prevent acute and
chronic type injury.

Q.
Are there other back pain exercises besides stretching that are good
for me?

A. Yes. Walking is typically
great for low back pain. However, there are individuals that have much
more difficulty standing then sitting. For this type of low back pain
it is highly recommended that sitting all day is a big mistake!
Instead, change positions every 15-20 minutes. This will decrease the
chances of increased stiffness and decreased mobility which leads to
more severe back pain.

Q.
What is the best position for me to relieve lower moderate to severe
back
pain?

A. Typically the best position
to decrease low back pain is into a flexed position lying on your back.
To do this you would want to lie down on your back with your feet
propped up in the air above your heart. A good example of this would be
lying on the floor on your back and putting your legs up onto the
couch. This should almost immediately relieve pain, if it doesn’t then
try stomach or side lying with a pillow between your legs.

Q.
Should I use Ice or heat to relieve my low back pain?

A. People have different
responses to both heat and ice and some theories differ. My personal
opinion is, if you have stiffness and/or soreness use heat. If you have
PAIN and/or inflammation, use ice.

Q.
How long should I ice or heat for?

A. Heating and icing should
typically be performed anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes and should always
be properly wrapped with a barrier of some kind. Never put ice or heat
directly over the skin. Also, never fall asleep with ice/heat as this
will cause you to get burned, blistered or some other form of skin
damage due to prolonged exposure to abnormal temperatures for your body.